Chapter 1a- Basic structure of computer Flashcards
What is mySQL?
a database
What Is Linux?
it is an operating system.
Look at image on slide 3 of topic 1A notes
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What are some examples of operating systems?
windows,Linux,UNIX and Mac OS
What are the basic functions of a computer?
Input, processing, output
What are some examples of input component?
RJ-45 and usb
what is a CPU?
it is the computer’s main processing component.It executes instructions from computer programs, such as word processors and from the computer’s operating system.
What are some examples of output components
monitors,printers,storage devices,network cards, and speakers.
What are the two main categories of storage?
long term storage(non-volatile storage)
short term storage(volatile storage)
what is short term storage?
RAM(random access memory).RAM is also known as “working storage”.When the power to the computer is turned off, RAM’s contents are gone.
What happens if there’s not enough RAM to run a program?What is the process like?
The computer will use disk drive to supplement.(virtual memory).Part of disk storage can be set as Virtual memory.CPU can only access data and code in RAM.Less used data and code are placed in virtual memory.Data and code needed by the CPU are moved to RAM.
What is long-term shortage?(non-volatile storage)
It maintains its data even there’s no power.It is used to store documents and multimedia files, as well as application and OS files.Amount of storage needs depends on type and quantity of files stored.
What are examples of long-term storage?
Hard disks
CD/DVDs
USB flash drives
What is a computer bus?
a collection of wires carrying signals from one place to another on the computer.All data that goes into or comes out of the computer goes through the motherboard.
Where are the buses between?
CPU and RAM
CPU and disk drives
CPU and expansion slots
What are the computer bus fundamentals?
Data bus: used to carry data signals from main memory(RAM) to CPU and vice versa or from main memory (RAM) to input/output devices vice versa.
Address bus:used to carry address signals, example a memory location or port/interface where an input or output device is attached.
Control bus:used to carry control signals,example read or write, from CPU to memory or port/interface.
What is the difference between address bus and data bus?
The data bus carries the data to be stored while the address bus carries the location to where it should be stored.
What is polling and interrupt?
polling is when CPU keeps on checking the I/O devices at regular interval whether it needs CPU service. In interrupt, the I/O device interrupts the CPU and tells CPU it needs CPU service.
why does polling and interrupt occur?
They handle the events generated by the devices that can happen at any moment while CPU is busy executing another process.
What is a hard drive?
-primary long-term storage component on your computer
-Consist of magnetic disks called “platters” that store data in the form of magnetic pulses
-Stores the documents you use as well as the applications that open those documents
-Stores the OS your computer loads when it boots
What is SSD?
Solid state drive.
-SSDs are used in place of hard drives,due to speed and reliability.
-SSDs use flash memory so -there are no moving parts and has faster access times
-More expensive than hard drives
-Most often found in mobile devices
-Also found in high-performance desktops and servers
What is RAM?
RAM is the main short term shortage. RAM has no moving parts so accessing data in RAM is much faster
than accessing data on a hard drive.
What is BIOS?
basic input output system.It is a programme that tells the CPU to perform certain tasks when power is first applied to the computer
One of those instructions is to perform a power-on self test (POST).
What is CMOS?
complementary metal oxide semiconductor. When a computer boots, the BIOS program offers a chance to run
the Setup utility in order to configure hardware components
This configuration is stored in a type of memory called complementary metal oxide
semiconductor (CMOS)
